FAI insist Duff will stay on 100 caps

Soccer:Former Republic of Ireland international Damien Duff will keep 100 international caps, despite last June’s friendly against Hungary not being officially recognised by Fifa. It had been thought the Fulham winger would have his caps reduced to 99 due to an administrative error, but FAI confirmed that this afternoon Duff will remain on the landmark number.

Fifa has refused to consider the match an ‘A’ international as one of the assistant referees involved in the 0-0 draw in Budapest, Danish official David Vang Andersen, was not on the current list of referees. As such, world soccer’s governing body was unable to include the match in their international ranking coefficient.

With Duff now retired from international football, despite overtures from the Irish management team, Fifa’s stance could have cost him his place among a select group of Irish players to reached 100 caps. However, as the decision to award caps is ultimately at the discretion of national associations, the FAI has deemed all players involved will be recognised.

“The Football Association of Ireland has decided that the players who participated in the fixture deserve caps, particularly Damien Duff for the service that he gave to his country,” the FAI said in a statement. “Consequently, the association has informed Damien that it will recognise his status as having earned 100 caps for Ireland.”

Similarly, Shay Given will remain on 125 caps, while captain Robbie Keane will stay on 121 appearances.

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